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Iceland

A Long Weekend in Iceland: From Reykjavik to the Golden Circle

Program No. 22981RJ
Think you don’t have time to discover the natural wonders of Iceland? Think again! Experience the best of Iceland as you explore from Reykjavik to the countryside.

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
12 meals ( 5B, 4L, 3D )
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
4 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 120 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. If you wish to swim at the lagoon, please remember to pack your bathing suit where it is easily accessible. Towels will be provided.
Breakfast:
At Park Inn by Radisson. If arriving independently, plan to arrive at the Park Inn by Radisson no later than 9:00 a.m.
Morning:
Upon all participants arrival in Iceland, we will board the motorcoach to ride to an enchanting lagoon. Take in the stunning views and relax with a soak in the geothermal heated waters, just like the locals!
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll board the motorcoach and head to the Hellisheiði geothermal power plant. The largest in Iceland, it’s the second largest in the world, situated in the Hengill volcano area. We’ll learn about this renewable resource and how geothermal energy is used in Iceland. Afterwards, we’ll continue our transfer to Hella and check in at our hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free time to relax before meeting the group for our Orientation meeting, followed by dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Meals will feature local cuisine. Water is included with all meals. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. The remainder of the evening is free to continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Boarding our motorcoach, we’ll set out for a field trip along the scenic south coast of Iceland. We will start the day with a visit to the new Lava Centre, a high-tech interactive exhibit depicting volcanic activities, earthquakes, and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. We will then continue riding along the coast, stopping by the Seljalandsfoss waterfall and glimpsing the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano on our way.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
En route to the Skógar Museum, we will stop to see the impressive Skógafoss Waterfall, one of the largest in Iceland that drops 200 feet and is nearly 50 feet wide. On sunny days, there is a good chance of catching a rainbow thanks to the spray. The Skógá River and its waterfalls play a central role in local folk stories of magic and hidden treasure, about which we’ll learn more. The Skógar Museum focuses on three areas of Icelandic history and culture. The folk museum displays a large collection of artifacts representing aspects of agriculture, fishing, and natural history — some dating back to the Viking age. There is also a technical area that traces the country’s development in the 19th and 20th centuries, and an open-air museum with rebuilt turf houses representing how Icelanders lived centuries ago. Returning to the hotel, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that cosmic conditions will permit us to see the magical northern lights in the quiet and remote location of our hotel. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 185 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time. Walking distances up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board a motorcoach for a field trip around the Golden Circle. Our field trip will begin with a visit to Gullfoss — golden falls — the most famous waterfall in Iceland. Water from the Langjökull glacier flows into the Hvítá (White) River. When it reaches the great Gullfossgjúfur canyon, it falls in two stages for more than 100 feet. We’ll experience the stillness and beauty of the wintry countryside and the frozen waterfall. We’ll then continue our ride to Geysir, where the active Strokkur geyser bursts forth every few minutes in a cloud of steam. Next, we’ll ride to the Friðheimar tomato farm and learn about greenhouse horticulture.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Moving on, we’ll reach the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, site of the original parliament, which is known as the most sacred place in Iceland due to its geological and historical significance. The Althing, or General Assembly, was established here in 930 CE and is the world’s oldest existing parliament. Not only historically significant, the site is located on the meeting point of the American and European continental plates. We'll then continue to Reykjavik for check-in.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain and paved city sidewalks. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out by motorcoach and see highlights of the city including Hofdi house, Lake Tjornin, City Hall, and the old Parliament as we ride. We’ll also have an expert-led field trip to the National Museum of Iceland. In addition to a permanent exhibition on the making of a nation, there are special exhibits on a variety of history and culture topics.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Reykjavik. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure tomorrow.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Staggered transfers to Keflavík International Airport based on final flight times. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Dec 10, 2025 - Dec 15, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Apr 30, 2025 - May 05, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
May 07, 2025 - May 12, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
May 14, 2025 - May 19, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
May 21, 2025 - May 26, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
May 28, 2025 - Jun 02, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Jun 04, 2025 - Jun 09, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Jun 11, 2025 - Jun 16, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Jun 18, 2025 - Jun 23, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Jun 25, 2025 - Jun 30, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Sep 03, 2025 - Sep 08, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Sep 10, 2025 - Sep 15, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 22, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Sep 24, 2025 - Sep 29, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Oct 01, 2025 - Oct 06, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Oct 08, 2025 - Oct 13, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Oct 15, 2025 - Oct 20, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Oct 22, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Oct 29, 2025 - Nov 03, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Nov 05, 2025 - Nov 10, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Nov 12, 2025 - Nov 17, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Nov 19, 2025 - Nov 24, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Dec 03, 2025 - Dec 08, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Dec 10, 2025 - Dec 15, 2025 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Jan 14, 2026 - Jan 19, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Jan 21, 2026 - Jan 26, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Jan 28, 2026 - Feb 02, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Feb 04, 2026 - Feb 09, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Feb 18, 2026 - Feb 23, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Mar 04, 2026 - Mar 09, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Mar 11, 2026 - Mar 16, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Mar 18, 2026 - Mar 23, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Apr 15, 2026 - Apr 20, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Apr 22, 2026 - Apr 27, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Apr 29, 2026 - May 04, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
May 06, 2026 - May 11, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
May 13, 2026 - May 18, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
May 20, 2026 - May 25, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Jun 03, 2026 - Jun 08, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Jun 17, 2026 - Jun 22, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Jun 24, 2026 - Jun 29, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Sep 02, 2026 - Sep 07, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Sep 09, 2026 - Sep 14, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Sep 16, 2026 - Sep 21, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Sep 23, 2026 - Sep 28, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Sep 30, 2026 - Oct 05, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Oct 14, 2026 - Oct 19, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Oct 21, 2026 - Oct 26, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Oct 28, 2026 - Nov 02, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Nov 04, 2026 - Nov 09, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Nov 11, 2026 - Nov 16, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Nov 18, 2026 - Nov 23, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Dec 02, 2026 - Dec 07, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)
Dec 09, 2026 - Dec 14, 2026 (Hella to Reykjavik)





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